How often should tape heads be cleaned and demagnetized ?
How often should tape heads be cleaned and demagnetized ?
Last edited by Cas; 25-04-2017 at 14:42.
Turntable : Project 2 Xperience Tone Arm & Cartridge : Project 9c Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Stage : Project Phono Box SE II Digital Source :Primare CD21 Integrated Amp : Primare I30 Speakers : ProAc 110 Headphones : Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
Revox A77 MK IV 2 track 15 & 7 1/2 IPS
TEAC A-3300SX 4 track 7 1/2 & 3 3/4 IPS
Akai 4000DS MkII
Cleaning - every single time you load a new tape and use the machine.
Degaussing - every 10 hours use or so.
Stewart.
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 982
I'm Charlie.
Cleaning heads should only take a minute or so with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and wipe or cotton bud. Importantly clean the tape guides too, as you often get more oxide residue on the guides than on the heads themselves.
PS don't use alcohol on the pinch rollers
Thanks.
Turntable : Project 2 Xperience Tone Arm & Cartridge : Project 9c Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Stage : Project Phono Box SE II Digital Source :Primare CD21 Integrated Amp : Primare I30 Speakers : ProAc 110 Headphones : Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
Revox A77 MK IV 2 track 15 & 7 1/2 IPS
TEAC A-3300SX 4 track 7 1/2 & 3 3/4 IPS
Akai 4000DS MkII
Location: Dagenham Essex
Posts: 11,215
I'm Allen.
Turntable : Project 2 Xperience Tone Arm & Cartridge : Project 9c Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Stage : Project Phono Box SE II Digital Source :Primare CD21 Integrated Amp : Primare I30 Speakers : ProAc 110 Headphones : Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
Revox A77 MK IV 2 track 15 & 7 1/2 IPS
TEAC A-3300SX 4 track 7 1/2 & 3 3/4 IPS
Akai 4000DS MkII
Location: Dagenham Essex
Posts: 11,215
I'm Allen.
How often depends on the condition of the tapes , as its only a quick process do it every time , a quick wipe and off you go
De mag depending on usage, monthly , you do need to be CAREFUL when doing this
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Turntable : Project 2 Xperience Tone Arm & Cartridge : Project 9c Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Stage : Project Phono Box SE II Digital Source :Primare CD21 Integrated Amp : Primare I30 Speakers : ProAc 110 Headphones : Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro
Revox A77 MK IV 2 track 15 & 7 1/2 IPS
TEAC A-3300SX 4 track 7 1/2 & 3 3/4 IPS
Akai 4000DS MkII
These days you can read anything on the internet - knowing the difference between the good stuff and the rubbish is the hard bit. I'm no expert on tape machines but I doubt that demagnetising is a waste of time, though I have read that many demagnetisers are too weak to be effective.
Maybe a proper expert can chip in with some better advice.
Location: Dagenham Essex
Posts: 11,215
I'm Allen.